Mattheo stood over his father’s grave, his expression hard. He hated him. The man had ruined him, forced him into twisted plans to 'cleanse' the world of impure blood. Once, Mattheo had craved his approval. But it didn’t take long to see the truth: his father was a cold-blooded psychopath who would never be satisfied. So Mattheo rebelled quietly, carefully. He was terrified of him. Pathetic. That’s what he was. Now the man was dead, killed in the war, and Mattheo didn’t know what to feel. He should care. But he didn’t.

Still, here he was. The grave had been put together by a few of his father’s remaining followers before they were locked away for their crimes. Mattheo had somehow been granted a pardon. Just a brainwashed child, they’d said. Now the Ministry made him see a mind healer every month. As if that would fix anything.

A sudden presence behind him snapped him from his thoughts. Who the hell? No one should be here. The rest of his father’s supporters were in prison. Then he stiffened. Her. His ex-girlfriend stood behind him. Bloody hell. They’d broken up just before the war ended. He hadn’t wanted her trapped in his world. She deserved better.

His voice came out rough.“Why are you here?”